After Jiang Li left, at Wangxian Tower, Jin Mantang’s private performance hadn’t yet finished. Amid the melodious opera singing, Ji Heng lazily sat down and asked, “Well?”

“Second Miss Jiang is very clever,” Lu Ji smiled slightly. “After asking for so long, her responses were watertight—she’s a very sharp young lady.”

“What were you asking about?” Kong Liu looked at him suspiciously.

“After all, she’s Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter,” Ji Heng answered with little concern.

On the other side, the guard who came to report also said, “It’s been confirmed—Ye Shijie and Second Miss Jiang didn’t arrange to meet beforehand. It should have been a chance encounter on the street. However, Second Young Master Ye Mingxuan of the Ye family arrived in the capital yesterday.”

“Ye Mingxuan came?” Kong Liu frowned. “The Ye family’s business isn’t even in the capital. What’s he doing here? Congratulating his nephew and celebrating his nephew’s promotion? Coming in person—he really doesn’t mind the trouble.”

“The Ye family’s business has encountered some problems,” Lu Ji said. “Ye Mingxuan coming this time is probably to seek some connections here in the capital to see if he can get help.”

Ji Heng laughed, “When the tea cools after the person leaves—it’s impossible for anyone to help.”

“Then why doesn’t he ask Ye Shijie for help? Now that Ye Shijie is an official, there are plenty of people wanting to curry favor with him. Finding a breakthrough from here would be very easy!” Kong Liu said matter-of-factly.

Lu Ji shook his head. “The Ye family has been merchants for generations. Ye Shijie is the first person from the Ye family to enter officialdom. Now that he’s finally made progress, using Ye Shijie’s career as a bargaining chip to help with business matters—the Ye family doesn’t have guts that big. They wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Kong Liu glanced at Ji Heng playing with his fan and muttered, “They’re all the same type of people. Why such a big difference?” He thought of something else and said, “Then why doesn’t he go to the Jiang family? These two families were once related by marriage after all. Although Lady Ye died, there’s still Second Miss Jiang as a connection. If Ye Mingxuan made a trip to the Jiang household, Jiang Yuanbai cares so much about face—naturally he wouldn’t stand by and watch them die.”

Lu Ji sighed, “You should listen to the capital’s news more often. Second Miss Jiang and the Jiang family have had no contact with the Ye family for ten years now. How could Ye Mingxuan possibly go to the Jiang family?”

Several people fell silent for a while.

Ji Heng said, “Ye Mingxuan might still go to the Jiang family.”

“Your Grace?” Lu Ji was puzzled.

“Because of Second Miss Jiang,” Ji Heng said.

…

After reuniting with Jiang Jingrui, Jiang Li quickly found Lu Shi’s group. Lu Shi’s group was also quite carefree—having walked for so long and watching their son and niece disappear before their eyes, they weren’t panicked at all. When asked, Lu Shi said, “Rui’er wanders the streets every day—how could he get lost? With Li’er following Rui’er, I’m very reassured.”

After hearing this, Jiang Li remained expressionless, truly not knowing what about Jiang Jingrui made anyone feel reassured.

She thought of Ye Shijie from earlier and couldn’t help shaking her head. If Ji Heng’s guard hadn’t suddenly appeared and taken her to watch that damned private performance, she should have exchanged a word or two with Ye Shijie. Because of Right Minister’s youngest son Li Lian, Jiang Li always felt Ye Shijie’s official career wouldn’t be too smooth sailing. She didn’t even know what schemes Li Lian was plotting, but she seemed to already smell hints of conspiracy.

No matter what, Ye Shijie had to be extremely careful.

Time had already been delayed quite a while. After not strolling long with the Second Branch people, they had to return to the household. Upon reaching the household, Old Madam Jiang had already gone to sleep. Jiang Li naturally wouldn’t take the initiative to greet Ji Shuran and her daughter either and went directly back to her own courtyard.

She had intended to sleep early, but who knew tonight her mind would be in turmoil—she couldn’t close her eyes no matter what. In her mind kept floating up Ji Heng’s beautiful phoenix eyes, and him murmuring lowly by her ear: “Eyes are the seedlings of emotion. Your eyes have betrayed your heart.”

Even Ji Heng had seen the hatred in her heart.

Jiang Li shook her head, as if wanting to shake away all the troublesome thoughts in her mind. She wished she could hurry up, hurry even more, immediately expose Princess Yongning’s and Shen Yurun’s ugly true faces and overturn the unjust case against the Xue family. But right now, there wasn’t enough evidence or sufficient leverage—she could only scheme gradually.

It was truly torturous.

That night, she truly slept very restlessly. In the middle of the night, heavy rain began falling. The thunder mixed with rain made Jiang Li, who already couldn’t sleep, even less able to rest. Not until the rooster crowed three times, the east brightened, and the rain began to cease did she fall into a confused sleep.

When she woke, the sun was already high in the sky.

After a night of rain, the air was exceptionally fresh. Tong’er and Baixue were helping water and weed the flowers by the flower bed at the courtyard entrance. Seeing Jiang Li come out, Tong’er straightened up and smiled, “Miss rarely sleeps in. This servant had Baixue not wake you.” Seeing Jiang Li walk over, she smiled again, “Last night’s rain was so heavy it even broke the crabapple flowers.”

Speaking of crabapples, Jiang Li suddenly thought of her personal maid Haitang, wondering whether Baixue’s family had inquired about news of Haitang in Zaohua Village. Jiang Li asked, “Baixue, have your family sent any letters home recently?”

Baixue wiped the sweat from her forehead and said, “No, Miss. It’s currently harvest season—the family is busy with farm work. This servant thinks they probably don’t have time to write letters. After this busy period, letters should arrive.”

Jiang Li nodded.

As several people were chatting casually, they suddenly saw Feicui, a maid from Old Madam’s side, arrive. Feicui didn’t enter the courtyard but stopped at Fangfei Courtyard’s entrance and smiled at Jiang Li, “Second Miss, Old Madam requests your presence at Wanfeng Hall.”

Baixue and Tong’er exchanged glances. Old Madam Jiang wouldn’t summon Jiang Li without reason. Jiang Li wasn’t like Jiang Bingji, going to Wanfeng Hall whenever free to ask Old Madam for snacks. Even if Jiang Li could bring herself to do so, Old Madam Jiang, who had been distant from her for eight years, would probably feel very uncomfortable.

Tong’er asked crisply, “Sister Feicui, why does Old Madam want our Miss to go to Wanfeng Hall? Has something happened in the household?”

“No,” Feicui smiled. “The household has guests. Old Madam just wants Second Miss to come sit together.”

Hearing Feicui answer thus, Tong’er finally felt relieved. Judging from Feicui’s demeanor and tone, Old Madam probably wasn’t summoning Jiang Li to condemn her. Jiang Li hadn’t done anything wrong anyway.

Jiang Li saw at a glance what Tong’er was worried about and couldn’t help feeling both amused and exasperated. Even if Old Madam Jiang really were summoning her for condemnation, it wouldn’t matter much. She could protect herself and retreat unscathed. Even if the other party was truly unreasonable, at worst it would be confinement or similar.

That truly wasn’t a big deal.

She said to Feicui, “Sister Feicui, please wait for me a moment. I’ll go change my clothes and come right away.” Jiang Li went back to her room to put on an outer garment, then went with Tong’er and Feicui to Wanfeng Hall.

From Fangfei Courtyard to Wanfeng Hall was still quite a distance. Ordinarily when taking this route, one would always encounter other people. However, now Jiang Yu’e was at the manor recuperating, Jiang Youyao was confined, and Jiang Yuyan had a timid disposition and never left her courtyard. So along this entire route they encountered no one—it was excessively smooth.

Jiang Li was very satisfied.

Accompanying her, Feicui was pondering in her heart—this Second Miss who had stayed at the temple for eight years, in less than half a year since returning to the capital, had the household’s young ladies in chaos with troubles everywhere. Only Second Miss Jiang alone remained unscathed, not a drop of water touching her. Not only that, her reputation had spread far and wide and she’d received imperial rewards.

Truly feng shui turns—back then everyone thought after Second Miss was driven to the temple, she would never return.

Therefore, Feicui didn’t dare underestimate this seemingly gentle Second Miss. In her words and actions, she unconsciously became much more respectful.

Jiang Li sensed the change in Feicui’s attitude, smiled faintly, and said nothing. Looking down on the poor and fawning over the rich was human nature. As the Jiang family was a great official household, even the maids within had been stained with official habits, skilled at reading the wind and adjusting sails.

It wasn’t a good thing, but it wasn’t a bad thing either.

At least this created many opportunities for her.

Upon reaching Wanfeng Hall, Feicui entered first, smiling as she said to the people inside, “Old Madam, Second Miss has arrived.”

Jiang Li followed Feicui inside. Upon entering, she saw a familiar young man sitting below Old Madam Jiang, his head slightly raised, seeming somewhat uncomfortable yet rather proud.

Jiang Li’s steps paused, puzzled. Ye Shijie—how had he come here?

Regarding this cousin, Jiang Li didn’t dare claim complete understanding, but she had roughly figured out Ye Shijie’s temperament. Ye Shijie held resentment about what Jiang Li had said before, so naturally he had no good feelings toward the Jiang family either. That Ye Shijie had previously come to the Imperial Academy to study yet never once visited the Jiang household made this clear. But today, Ye Shijie had actually come openly, even sitting below Old Madam Jiang. Judging from Old Madam Jiang’s expression, they seemed to be getting along quite well.

Jiang Li’s mind hadn’t yet figured out what was going on when she heard Old Madam Jiang say kindly, “Second girl, come quickly and meet your Uncle Mingxuan.”

Jiang Li froze. Uncle Mingxuan?

Only then did she see clearly—beside Ye Shijie sat a middle-aged man. This middle-aged man wore silver-white robes, a silver cap, with a golden sash at his waist. He looked like a scholar, yet somewhat wealthier than ordinary scholars. His face was pale and beardless, his figure lean, his eyes quite shrewd.

He stood up, looked at Jiang Li, and chuckled, “A Li has grown so tall—I almost didn’t recognize her.”

For a moment Jiang Li was in a daze. This Uncle Mingxuan calling her “A Li” made her momentarily think it was Xue Huaiyuan calling her “A Li.”

Ye Mingxuan examined Jiang Li, his eyes also flashing with surprise.

From Ye Shijie’s mouth, he had learned many things—such as making a wager with Meng Hongjin at Mingyi Hall, stunning everyone at the examination grounds, forcing Ye Shijie at knifepoint during the palace banquet to rationally respond to the situation. Matter after matter truly made it difficult for Ye Mingxuan to imagine these were things that could be done by the somewhat willful, hurtfully-spoken little girl in his memory.

Ten years—it had already been ten years since Ye Mingxuan had seen Jiang Li. Back when Ye Zhenzhen died, the Ye family had been afraid that after Jiang Yuanbai remarried, a stepmother would mistreat Jiang Li, which was why they had the idea of bringing Jiang Li back to Tongxiang. Though the Ye family couldn’t compare to the official Jiang family, at least the Ye family would genuinely protect Jiang Li, letting her live a lifetime without worries about food and clothing, dressed in silks and fed with jade.

Who would have thought the reality was that nearly five-year-old Jiang Li, with a face full of contempt, had scorned the Ye family for being merchants right in front of Old Madam Ye, saying hurtful things like merchants were all lowly. Old Madam Ye had fallen gravely ill. The Ye family people weren’t without resentment toward Jiang Li.

How could such a small child speak so hurtfully? And she seemed to have already been tainted with the Jiang family’s inherent indifference, the hidden pettiness of those in officialdom. She could analyze gains and losses better than these merchants.

It was truly difficult to let go.

But now, the young lady standing before Ye Mingxuan wore a light green jacket and pale blue long skirt. Tall and slender, outstandingly lovely, with a smile on her lips and gentle expression, no longer showing that former sharpness and hostility—she was extremely comforting.

She truly was different from before.

Ye Mingxuan was momentarily reminded of his younger sister Ye Zhenzhen. Looking more carefully, Jiang Li and Ye Zhenzhen were different after all. Ye Zhenzhen had been bright and simple, like a fluffy little animal raised in sunshine, only caring about play and cuteness. Jiang Li was like a pear tree growing alone by a stream—no one could see the wind, frost, rain, and snow she had endured alone, yet from her resilience bloomed pure white, beautiful flowers.

More than half of Ye Mingxuan’s former resentment toward that little girl dissipated unknowingly in Jiang Li’s clear eyes.

He didn’t know if this was due to blood relations, making it difficult for him to truly be cold to Jiang Li. Or if Jiang Li appeared too kind and gentle, making him completely separate this Jiang Li from the five-year-old Jiang Li.

He showed Jiang Li a sincere, generous smile.

Old Madam Jiang saw Ye Mingxuan’s appreciation and also breathed a slight sigh of relief. Now that Ye Shijie was already Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue, reaching this position at his age was already quite remarkable. With their past marriage connection, in the future on the official path he could become an aid to both branches of the Jiang family—this wasn’t bad. Therefore, when Ye Shijie and Ye Mingxuan took the initiative to visit, Old Madam Jiang’s first reaction was to reconcile with the Ye family.

Old Madam Jiang knew about Jiang Li having said harsh words to the Ye family back then. To say the Ye family people held no grudge, Old Madam Jiang herself didn’t believe it. However, Jiang Li now was different from before. Many matters, Old Madam Jiang hoped, could be discussed after Jiang Li and they met face to face.

Having now met, Ye Mingxuan’s attitude toward Jiang Li was fairly mild. Old Madam Jiang saw this—Ye Mingxuan’s impression of the current Jiang Li wasn’t bad, which was very good. At least the Ye family wouldn’t say outside that the Jiang family had mistreated Ye Zhenzhen’s daughter or deliberately raised her wrong.

Ye Mingxuan smiled, “You probably don’t recognize me. The last time I saw you, you were still tiny.” He gestured with his hand to his knee level: “About this tall.” He said, “I’m your mother’s second brother. Just call me Uncle Mingxuan.”

“Uncle Mingxuan,” Jiang Li called softly.

Her feeling toward Ye Mingxuan was good, though she didn’t know if it was because Ye Mingxuan’s earlier call of “A Li” reminded her of Xue Huaiyuan.

“Your Uncle Mingxuan came to the capital to handle some matters and specially came to see you,” Old Madam Jiang smiled. “He also brought you gifts—we’ll have them moved to your courtyard later.”

Jiang Li smiled, understanding in her heart. How would Ye Mingxuan have brought her gifts? Probably bought nearby in the capital, since previously Ye Mingxuan had had no contact with the Jiang family or herself. This sudden visit to the Jiang household must be because Ye Shijie had told him about her.

Jiang Li glanced at Ye Shijie. Seeing her look over, Ye Shijie turned his head away, avoiding her gaze, as if feeling somewhat guilty.

Guilty about what? Jiang Li was bewildered.

But Old Madam Jiang’s attitude toward the Ye family seemed to indicate that Ye Shijie becoming Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue had indeed softened the Jiang family’s attitude somewhat. As long as Ye Shijie continued rising and the Ye family continued flourishing because of Ye Shijie, reconciling with the Ye family was sooner or later. At that time, Jiang Li would be a young lady with her maternal family’s protection. At least when Ji Shuran wanted to move against her again, she wouldn’t be as emboldened as before.

Ji Shuran’s intestines must be green with regret now. Jiang Li thought—previously dragging her feet or acting covertly was because Ji Shuran wanted to maintain her reputation as a virtuous mother. Who knew this would let Jiang Li find an opening? Once an opportunity was missed, it wouldn’t return.

Withdrawing her thoughts, Jiang Li chatted with Uncle and nephew Ye Mingxuan and Ye Shijie, as well as Old Madam Jiang. All idle family talk—Old Madam Jiang asked about the situation of the other Ye family members in Xiangyang. Ye Mingxuan answered politely and properly. At least on the surface, relations between the Jiang and Ye families had eased considerably.

Jiang Li also noticed that at this meeting, others weren’t present—Jiang Yuanbai wasn’t here either. Old Madam Jiang probably also felt that suddenly having everyone from the Jiang family appear would be somewhat awkward, so she simply kept numbers small and proceeded gradually.

Before they knew it, a pot of tea had been finished. Ye Mingxuan also rose to take his leave, saying he had matters to attend to and would visit again another day. He smiled at Jiang Li, “The gift for A Li—I’ll have someone move it to A Li’s courtyard now.”

“Good,” Old Madam Jiang said. “A Li, you also take your Uncle Mingxuan to see your courtyard.”

This was giving them time to speak privately.

All old foxes, Ye Mingxuan readily agreed to Old Madam’s arrangement. Jiang Li then led Ye Mingxuan and Ye Shijie together back to Fangfei Courtyard.

Tong’er walked ahead, her small frame held ramrod straight. This was her first time meeting Ye Zhenzhen’s maternal family. Fearing the Ye family might have thoughts about Jiang Li’s past of killing her mother and brother, she was determined to appear neither servile nor overbearing. However, judging from Ye Mingxuan’s appearance, he seemed quite reasonable—probably not a harsh person.

Ye Shijie didn’t speak the entire way. He himself didn’t know what was wrong with him today—he was excessively silent. Instead, Ye Mingxuan intermittently asked how Jiang Li was doing. Jiang Li responded with smiles.

Seeing Jiang Li’s composed manner, Ye Mingxuan was greatly astonished again in his heart. Years ago when Jiang Li was sent to Qingcheng Mountain, the Ye family had also secretly sent people to negotiate with the Jiang family. Though Jiang Li had insulted the Ye family, she was ultimately a Ye family descendant. Unfortunately, at that time Jiang Yuanbai’s attitude was too firm, refusing to say where Jiang Li had been sent. In the end, they could only give up.

Even after learning from Ye Shijie that Jiang Li had accomplished great things after returning to the capital, in Ye Mingxuan’s eyes, people like the Jiang family who sought benefit and avoided harm wouldn’t place too much importance on a daughter like Jiang Li who could tarnish the Jiang family’s reputation. But judging from Old Madam Jiang’s current attitude, Jiang Li’s status in the Jiang family didn’t seem as lowly as he’d imagined. And looking at Jiang Li’s manners and behavior—well-educated, very elegant—she didn’t appear to have been mistreated.

This niece seemed to hide many unknown secrets, Ye Mingxuan secretly thought.

Upon reaching Fangfei Courtyard’s entrance, Qingfeng and Mingyue were sweeping the courtyard. Seeing Jiang Li return, Baixue hurried to serve tea. Seeing Ye Mingxuan and Ye Shijie with Jiang Li, she couldn’t help feeling surprised.

“This is Uncle Mingxuan and Cousin Ye,” Jiang Li smiled. “Baixue, serve tea.”

Ye Mingxuan froze the moment he saw Fangfei Courtyard.

Even in autumn, Fangfei Courtyard was full of purple and crimson blooms, with various chrysanthemums and osmanthus flowers in full bloom, their fragrance assailing the nostrils—not showing any desolate or lonely appearance. Jiang Yuanbai liked to display lofty purity, so the plants in the estate were mostly green. In autumn, he preferred black and white austerity to show his integrity. Therefore, walking all the way here hadn’t shown such flourishing scenery.

But Jiang Li’s courtyard was so lively it clashed with the Chief Minister’s residence. It instantly reminded Ye Mingxuan of his deceased younger sister Ye Zhenzhen.

Ye Zhenzhen had been a young lady who loved liveliness. Before she married, her courtyard had always been filled with birdsong and floral fragrance. Her brothers would mischievously practice swordplay in her courtyard, cutting Ye Zhenzhen’s flowers to pieces, angering her enough to complain to Lord Ye and Old Madam Ye.

Now this scene before him instantly brought back Ye Mingxuan’s memories. His eyes felt unbearably sour. The scene remained, but the person was gone—truly a matter worthy of regret and sighs.

Jiang Li noticed Ye Mingxuan’s strange expression and said, “This was Mother’s courtyard when she was ill. After I returned to the capital, Madam gave me the courtyard. At that time, all the flowers and plants in the courtyard had withered and died. Tong’er, Baixue and the others spent great effort to make it look like this.”

She called Ji Shuran “Madam.”

Ye Mingxuan’s gaze moved slightly. He asked, “How does Madam Ji treat you?”

Jiang Li looked at Ye Mingxuan, smiled faintly, and didn’t answer his question. Instead she said, “The tea is ready. Uncle Mingxuan, let’s go inside to talk.”

She avoided Ye Mingxuan’s question.

Ye Mingxuan and Ye Shijie exchanged glances, thought for a moment, shook his head and followed Jiang Li.

Tong’er stood properly to one side, pouring tea for Ye Mingxuan and Ye Shijie in turn.

“I didn’t expect Uncle Mingxuan would suddenly come to the capital,” Jiang Li said. “It’s a bit beyond my expectations. Why would Uncle Mingxuan think to come to the Jiang family?”

Ye Shijie coughed lightly and said, “I mentioned you to Second Uncle.”

Jiang Li was noncommittal. She had known early on that after so many things happened, Ye Shijie would eventually tell the Ye family about her. She just hadn’t expected the Ye family to personally come to the capital. However, Jiang Li also believed Ye Mingxuan coming to the capital definitely wasn’t for her sake—meeting her should just be a matter of convenience.

“That’s right. Shijie mentioned you to me. I thought it had been a long time since I’d seen you,” Ye Mingxuan sighed. “Counting it up, it’s been ten years, hasn’t it? A Li, you look good now. Shijie told me about your affairs. You’ve helped Shijie several times—on Shijie’s behalf, I thank you.”

Jiang Li smiled, “We’re all family. Uncle Mingxuan needn’t be so polite.”

She spoke sincerely and gently, her eyes clear as stream water, making one have to believe her words came from the heart. Ye Mingxuan suddenly found himself somewhat speechless. Back then it was Jiang Li who scorned the Ye family for being merchants, and now it was also Jiang Li naturally saying “we’re all family.” Clearly very contradictory, yet there was no way to doubt anything.

“How are Grandmother and the others?” Jiang Li asked.

“Not in good health,” Ye Mingxuan said. “That’s what happens with age. This time she also wanted to come to the capital to see Shijie, but her body truly won’t allow it.”

Jiang Li frowned slightly. Old Madam Ye’s poor health wasn’t good news.

Ye Shijie felt somewhat awkward. Old Madam Ye’s poor health—hadn’t that started after Jiang Li insulted the Ye family back then? At that time, Old Madam Ye had fallen gravely ill, damaging her foundation, never as healthy as before. Over the years, she’d gotten worse year after year.

“If Grandmother can’t come, why didn’t the other uncles come either?” Jiang Li asked. She had also inquired—Second Miss Jiang had three uncles in total. Ye Mingxuan ranked second, Ye Shijie’s father was the eldest, and there was also a youngest uncle.

“There are some minor issues with the Xiangyang business,” Ye Mingxuan smiled. “They’ve also been quite busy recently.”

Though Ye Mingxuan was smiling, Jiang Li clearly saw a trace of worry in his eyes. These so-called “minor issues” definitely weren’t as light and breezy as Ye Mingxuan made them sound.

If the Ye family had problems, this wasn’t good. On one hand, Second Miss Jiang needed the Ye family as support to make her position in the Jiang family more secure. On the other hand, the Ye family was in Xiangyang, Xue Huaiyuan was in Tongxiang, Xiangyang. For matters in Tongxiang, she would still need to rely on the Ye family’s influence to investigate.

Jiang Li thought for a moment and asked, “How long does Uncle Mingxuan plan to stay in the capital? When will you return to Xiangyang?”

“Coming this time, mainly to see Shijie and also to wrap up some business matters on the capital’s end. After things are settled, I’ll return to Xiangyang.” Ye Mingxuan pondered and said, “I estimate it won’t take long—at most ten days or so. Xiangyang can’t do without people. I can’t delay long in the capital.”

Even ten days counted as a delay—it seemed matters in Xiangyang were truly urgent. Hearing Ye Mingxuan say this further confirmed Jiang Li’s suspicions. She glanced at Ye Shijie and saw he also looked weighed down with worries.

Seeing Jiang Li suddenly fall silent, Ye Mingxuan smiled and said, “Though I came to the capital to see Shijie, meeting A Li is also an unexpected delight. I heard you also became the top student at Mingyi Hall and received imperial recognition. If your grandmother knew of this, she would surely be very happy. Speaking of which, it’s also because there’s currently no precedent for directly granting official positions to women. You’re on par with Shijie—Shijie became an official, so you should also receive an official position.”

This uncle certainly could dream. Jiang Li smiled, “What a pity I wasn’t born a man.”

Ye Shijie looked up at Jiang Li. Though Jiang Li wasn’t a man, the things she did probably some men wouldn’t dare to do. Who could carry a dagger in and out of the palace? If things went wrong, she could be arrested for attempted assassination, implicating the entire family. Yet she wasn’t afraid at all, treating it like an insignificant trifle. Quite something.

Fortunately she wasn’t a man. If she were a man, she’d be unstoppable.

“Speaking of which, I also haven’t seen Grandmother or my uncles for a long time,” Jiang Li said. “This time meeting Uncle Mingxuan, just as Uncle couldn’t recognize me, I also almost didn’t recognize Uncle Mingxuan.”

Ye Mingxuan laughed heartily, “No matter. When there’s opportunity, you and Shijie can return to Xiangyang together. Then you can see your grandmother and uncles—they’ll surely be very happy.”

Jiang Li had been waiting for exactly these words. Her eyes curved as she smiled, “Why wait? This time is an opportunity. Uncle Mingxuan, after you finish your business, let me return to Xiangyang with you.”